Stone Ranger

by Bob Blanton

  “Gotcha,” Matthew trotted over to pick up the basket.

  “You’re on,” the coach yelled at Brianna.

  Brianna’s first serve came in at a blistering pace and landed three inches inside of the tee. The next two serves landed in just about the same spot just as fast. Matthew caught the balls and dumped them in the basket.

  The coach nodded her head and shouted, “Good pace.”

  Brianna smiled, and then a serious look came over her face. She bounced the ball three times in a slow, methodical manner. Then she gazed down at the coach, tossed the ball in the air and wham, it landed right in the corner of the tee, catching both lines. And Matthew could have sworn it was faster than the previous serves. Brianna went through the same ritual and served three more times to exactly the same spot.

  “Okay, let’s see the other side,” the coach yelled.

  Jackie and her teammates had been watching as they had been hitting the ball back and forth to warm up. Now they looked at each other wondering what kind of buzz saw their coach had set them up with. They had started out thinking it would be fun to spank the freshman who thought she should be able to join the team after tryouts, now they weren’t so sure who was going to get spanked.

  Brianna served four more times landing the ball twice in the tee and twice in the outside corner. If there was any space between the lines and the ball, Matthew couldn’t see it.

  “All right, Teri, are you ready?”

  Teri gave a groan, then shouted, “As ready as I can be.”

  “We’ve seen her serve, so let’s see how well she returns.”

  Brianna set up on the base line bouncing on her toes and shaking her shoulder to loosen up. “Any time you’re ready.”

  Teri set up to serve. She blasted the first one down the line. Brianna raced to her right and returned it cross-court two inches inside the sideline.

  Teri waited for Brianna to reset herself; then she served again, this time down the middle. Brianna danced around the ball and laced it to right corner.

  After a few more serves, the coach had Morgan serve and then Jackie. Brianna returned over thirty serves before she hit one into the net.

  “Sorry, I’m not completely back into shape yet,” Brianna apologized to the coach.

  “Don’t worry about it, anyone would be getting tired by now. Are you up for a couple of games?”

  “Definitely.”

  “Teri, you’re back up.”

  Matthew heard Teri give a groan as she grabbed her racquet and ran onto the court.

  “Jackie, you call the lines on Brea’s side, I’ll call these. Teri, you serve first.”

  Teri smiled at the coach, thankful that at least she would have the advantage for the first game. Her first serve went down the middle and Brianna danced around it and returned it hard to the backhand side. Teri barely got to it in time to return it. Brianna was charging the net and had no problem driving the ball into the open court behind Teri for a winner. The rest of the game went pretty much the same way; Teri only managed one point off of her serve.

  “Okay, now Brianna, your serve.”

  Brianna set up as before, methodically bouncing the ball three times before serving to Teri. Having seen Brianna’s earlier serves, Teri positioned herself well behind the base line. She didn’t even have a chance on the first serve as Brianna served an ace down the center. Teri managed to get her racquet on the next serve but hit the ball into the net. The next two serves went by Teri so fast she hardly even saw them.

  “Okay, thanks Teri. Jackie, you’re up. Brianna, I want you to serve again, but let’s switch sides first.”

  As Brianna walked around the net to take up position, the coach walked over to her and whispered, “Would you take a little pace off of the serve, I want to see what happens when someone actually returns your serve.”

  “Sure.”

  Brianna served the ball a little slower and a little farther inside the lines, but charged the net behind it catching Jackie’s return midair and driving the ball down the line for a winner.

  On the next serve, Brianna stayed back, caught Jackie’s return just inside the baseline, and drove a winner behind Jackie as she was racing to cover the center of the court.

  After Brianna won the game at love, the coach clapped her hands. “Okay, I’ve seen enough,” the coach called out. “Thanks for helping out, girls.”

  The three friends breathed a sigh of relief and gathered their stuff. “Bye,” they called to Brianna as they left.

  Brianna bounced over to the coach smiling expectantly.

  “Great job, you’re as good as I was told. But,” she gave a long pause after the but, long enough to see Brianna’s face fall. “I’d like you to play on the eighteen-and-under A team, if that’s okay with you?”

  Brianna could hardly contain herself. “That would be great, thanks Coach Leslie, you won’t regret this.”

  “I’m sure I won’t, I’ll see you tomorrow. Practice is at 3:00 and we have a tournament this weekend.” Coach Leslie gave Brianna a pat on the back.

  Brianna ran over to Matthew and gave him a big hug. “Thanks for coming out to watch.”

  “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world; it’s amazing how much your game has improved since the last time we played.” Matthew was alluding to Brianna allowing him to win after one of his lessons with her mom.

  “That time I couldn’t concentrate on the game.” Brianna gave Matthew a light kiss on the cheek.

  “So you made the team?”

  “Yes! And she’s going to have me play on the eighteen-and-under A team.” Brianna pumped her fist. “That’s the elite group.”

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  On Thursday before French, Emily caught up with Matthew, “How did Brianna do yesterday?”

  “She really rocked; the three players the coach brought to test her never had a chance.”

  “Who did Coach Leslie bring?”

  “I didn’t know them, but I think they’re sophomores. Let’s see, their names were Jackie, Teri, and Morgan.”

  “Teri is the best player on the under-16 team, you mean that Brea trounced her?”

  “Yep, Teri only scored one point on her serve; Brea hit two winners off her serve, then on Brea’s serve, she had three aces and a winner off the one return.”

  “Wow, what about Jackie?”

  “I think the coach asked Brea to back off on her serve, so Jackie returned every serve, but Brea hit a winner each time.”

  “My God, that’s amazing. I should have guessed she’d be on par with Jason.”

  “Yeah, Jason says he has to bring his A game to beat her.”

  “Well she’ll be dominating; did you hear anything else?

  “Yes, she’s having her play on the eighteen-and-under A team.”

  “I guess that’s no surprise,” Emily said sounding a little dejected. “Teri gives me a good game when we play; there’s no way I could dominate her the way you said Brea did.”

  “Sounds like you’re a little jealous.”

  “No, envious maybe, I just wish I had that kind of talent.”

  “Come on, you’re the top player on the team.”

  “I think you’ll need to use the past tense there.”

  “Well, that should be good for the team,” Matthew said, hoping this wouldn’t create a rift in their group.

  “Yes it will; we should be in great shape for the tournament this weekend. Are you coming?”

  “I guess I have to, now that I’ve got two friends on the team. Where’s it going to be?”

  “At the country club. Alex is coming, so Jason has two reasons to be there; you should be able to catch a ride with them.”

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  On Saturday, Matthew waited outside his house for Jason to pick him up. When Jason arrived with Alex, Matthew crawled into the seat behind Alex.

  “Hi, Alex, how’s Emily feeling?”

  “She’s fine, just feeling a wee bit less special,” Alex said. “But she’l
l get over it.”

  “Sure she will. And she’s going to play doubles with Brianna,” Jason said.

  “That should be an unbeatable combination.”

  “Don’t you know it.”

  Once they got to the country club, Jason parked the car while Alex and Matthew got in line.

  “Wow, what a line.”

  “I guess this is a big match, and since it’s against the La Jolla Flame, everyone’s local.”

  When Jason caught up with them, Matthew said, “Thanks for the ride; don’t worry about trying to find me at the end, if we miss each other, I’ll just hoof it.”

  “No, we’ll find you,” Alex replied.

  “No really, I don’t mind; I’ll probably catch a ride with someone, but it’s not that far, and I don’t want you to feel you have to wait on me.”

  “Okay, they’re your feet.” Jason steered Alex toward the stands.

  Matthew looked for a place to sit closer to the net. It was pretty crowded and he’d given up all hope when Jennifer waved at him.

  “Matt, I didn’t know you were coming. I could have gotten Mom to give you a ride.”

  “Oh hi, Jen, I didn’t know you were into tennis.”

  “I’m not really, but with Brea playing I had to come and be in her cheering section.”

  “Well then, move over, that’s why I’m here, too. Funny, we live right next door to each other and we meet more often when Brea’s involved.”

  “Speaking of busy calendars, is there any way I could talk you into babysitting for Jessica the second Sunday in December?”

  “Maybe. Why?”

  “I promised Mom I’d watch her, she’s going to an opening at the Museum of Art that evening; but now, Jason and Brea and Alex are going to the Chargers game on Sunday and they invited me. If I go, I won’t be back in time, so I was hoping I could get you to watch her.”

  “Well that means I’d have to give up my Sunday evening; what would I get in return?”

  “You mean besides the money?”

  “Yeah, I can always get a babysitting job.”

  “Okay, what would you want?”

  “Oh, not much.” The way Jennifer said it made Matthew wonder if he could afford the price.

  “What?”

  “You know Jeffrey McArthur?”

  “Sure, he takes Kung Fu at my school.”

  “Well, I really like him, and I was hoping you could arrange something.”

  “You mean a blind date?”

  “No, I was thinking something more casual where we could meet and maybe start up a conversation. We know each other already; we’ve got classes together. I just need a little help.”

  “I’ll have to think about it.”

  “Then I’ll have to think about the babysitting job.”

  “I didn’t mean it that way, I’ll help; I just have to think about how to set something up. I’ll let you know what I come up with on Monday.”

  “Thanks,” Jennifer said. “Now we’d better quiet down, they’re getting ready to play.”

  Jennifer and Matthew watched a couple of matches before Emily’s came up. She won her match in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Brianna’s match was next.

  “Do you want me to get you anything during the break?” Matthew asked Jennifer.

  “Sure, a Diet Pepsi would be nice.”

  “Okay, I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Matthew hurried over toward the concession stand, but he really wanted to catch Emily to congratulate her. He caught her just outside the locker room.

  “Great match, you really had control.”

  “Thanks, Matt; I saw you cheering for me.”

  “I hope it helped.”

  “It did. Did you know Brea and I are going to play doubles together later on?”

  “Yes, I heard; you two should be unbeatable.”

  “I hope so; the coach sure is expecting us to win, but we’ve only practiced together twice.”

  “You’ll be fine,” Matthew said, giving Emily a reassuring hug. “Well I’d better hurry and grab a couple of sodas and get back before Brea’s match starts.”

  “Definitely, you’ll be toast if she doesn’t see you cheering for her. Thanks for stopping by.”

  “See you later.”

  Matthew hurried to the concession stand to get a couple of drinks then rushed back to the stands. He was just getting seated when Brianna and her opponent finished their warm-ups.

  Seeing Matthew and Jennifer, Brianna waved at them and they waved back shouting, “Good luck!”

  Brianna started out serving. She aced her first serve, but hit the net on the second point for a let, her second serve was well inside the line and it was a long volley then an unforced error to lose the point.

  “She must be nervous, this is her first competitive match in over a year.”

  “I guess I’d be nervous, too.”

  Brianna got an ace on her next serve to go up 30-15. Her opponent managed to return the next serve, but Brianna had charged the net behind it and had no problem hitting a winner down the side. She served an ace to close out the game.

  “I guess she got over her nervousness.”

  “I’ll say; I didn’t know she was so good.”

  As Brianna set up to return her opponent’s serve, she bounced around on her toes dancing from side to side. On the first serve she nailed a winner down the side. For the game, her opponent only managed to handle one of Brianna’s returns, but Brianna had no problem passing her on it. Brianna won both her sets 6-0, 6-0 only giving up four points.

  “Who is that girl, and where did she come from?” the couple behind Matthew asked.

  “That’s Brianna Winthrop, she moved here from New York last year.

  “Well, she should be playing pro tennis. I’ve never seen a high school player play like that.”

  “She is good.”

  “Let’s go congratulate her,” Jennifer pulled on Matthew’s arm.

  They caught Brianna outside the locker room.

  “Brea, you were awesome,” they both said in unison, as Matthew gave her a hug.

  “Thanks, guys. I can’t believe I had an unforced error,” Brianna rolled her eyes, “but it really felt good to be on the court again.”

  “It must have, that poor girl never knew what hit her.”

  “I think I got an easy opponent, since nobody knows me out here. It won’t be so easy next time.” Brianna toweled her face off.

  “I’m sure you won’t have any problems. When’s your doubles match?”

  “It’s at 4:30, same court.”

  “Do you want to do anything while you wait?”

  “No, I’ve got my game day routine. I’ll just see you after the match.”

  “Okay,” Matthew sounded a little disappointed.

  “Brea, great match,” Jason hollered as he and Alex came over.

  Alex gave Brianna a hug, “you’re not even sweaty.”

  “It’s a cool day and a short match,” Jason did a little bragging for his sister. “Matt, are you and Brea going to be able to go to the ballgame with us next week?”

  “I think so. I’ve asked Jen to take over my babysitting chores, so I just need to clear it with my mom.”

  “Great! Thanks, Jen.”

  “No, problem. Matt’s going to help me out with a little problem, so it’s a fair exchange.”

  “Is the little problem, you know who?” Brianna asked.

  “Yes!” Jennifer squealed.

  “Great! Now I’ve got to get going,” Brianna said. “I don’t want to break my routine, so see ya.”

  “Come on guys, you don’t want to get in the way of Brea’s competitive, Mr. Hyde.” Jason started to usher the other three away from the locker room.

  “Matt,” Alex and I are going to Del Mar to hang out at the beach tomorrow. “Do you want to come with us and celebrate Brea’s victory?”

  “Sure, you think Brea will be up for it?”

  “Shopping in Del Mar, you know she’ll
be up for it,” Alex said.

  “Jason said you were going to hang out at the beach.”

  “It won’t kill you two to let Brea and me get a little shopping in while we’re at the beach.”

  “Okay, I’m up for it, I’ll check with Brea after the tournament.”

  “Ta,” Alex said, as she headed into the ladies room.

  “You could ask her tonight at your dance lesson,” Jason jeered, once Alex was out of earshot.

  “I was hoping she’d be too tired and want to skip it.”

  “Dream on, Brea will be rested up and ready to kick up her heels by 7:00 tonight,” Jason laughed. “I wouldn’t even suggest skipping it unless you want to get your head bit off. She really wants the two of you to have it down before the Winter Ball.”

  “Thanks for the advice, I think.”

  Brea and Emily totally dominated their doubles match, not losing a single point. Matthew was happy to see them congratulating each other on each point scored. They seemed to have a natural communication between them charging the net in perfect unison.

  An Unwelcome guest

  Matthew paid for the drinks and carried them to the table. Brianna was waiting for him along with her brother, Jason, and his girlfriend, Alex. Even though it was almost Thanksgiving, Jason and Matthew were wearing shorts and sandals with their Hawaiian shirts. The girls were both wearing sundresses, and Brianna had a large-brim hat on.

  “Brea, here’s your lemonade, and yours, Alex,” Matthew said, as he placed the lemonades in front of the two girls. He placed a Coke in front of Jason without comment.

  “Thank you, Matt,” Alex said.

  “How was your dance lesson last night?” Jason asked.

  “It was great,” Brianna said. “Matt had lessons a couple of years ago, so he started to pick it back up right away.”

  “You’re taking dance lessons?” Alex asked. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Yeah, you and Jason could join us,” Matthew said, giving Jason a toothy smile.

  “I’ve had lessons,” Jason said.

  “You never told me,” Alex exclaimed. “What type of dances do you know?”

  “Ballroom, swing and shake your booty,” Jason replied. “Who do you think Brea’s partner was when she took lessons?”